.Jul 28, 2024, 09:46 AM ETLESS THAN 2 hours after his dreadful reduction in the Wimbledon last, Novak Djokovic was actually currently laser-focused on the remainder of the season.Djokovic, 37, had only been actually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4 ), his dreams for a record-breaking 25th primary name held off. But it was crystal clear he was actually attempting to proceed as promptly as he could when he talked to press reporters at his news conference later on that afternoon." Well, the Olympic Video Games and US Open are actually both large objectives for the rest of the year for me really," Djokovic pointed out. "I am actually hoping I could be at my best [for] those two competitions. That is actually all I can easily mention immediately." Editor's Picks2 RelatedDjokovic's response must rarely come as an unpleasant surprise considering his essentially unequaled profession and that he is actually the speaking up for champ at the United States Open. Yet he has never fairly had the very same results at the Olympics. He enters his fifth Video games along with merely one medal-- a songs bronze in 2008. So right now, two weeks after his unsatisfactory surface at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris wherefore could be his last Games, with his eyes set on the one point that has actually outruned him throughout his famous occupation: Olympic gold.Djokovic opened up play at Roland Garros on Sunday along with an effective 6-0, 6-1 success over Matthew Ebden. He is going to next off play acquainted adversary Rafael Nadal in the 2nd round in chances of acquiring one measure better to his dream." [It is actually therefore special to be] component of the oldest sporting activities occasion in the record of sporting activity," Djokovic said to the International Tennis Federation in May. "Of course succeeding a gold medal or succeeding any kind of award for my country is a fantastic dream as well as dream. It is just one of [my] greatest top priorities and objectives for [this] period, there is no secret regarding that." THERE'S LITTLE ELSE Djokovic have not accomplished in tennis.Since turning qualified in 2003, Djokovic has actually gained the Australian Open 10 opportunities (the best by any type of player outdoors time), and is a seven-time Wimbledon champ, four-time US Open champion and three-time French Open champ. He is tied along with Margaret Court for the very most major singles titles in the sport's past history, as well as he has one of the most outdoors era.Djokovic has won 98 career single people titles (and also one in increases) as well as has stored the world No. 1 ranking for a mixed 428 full weeks-- yet another record. Djokovic also led Serbia to its first and also merely Davis Cup headline in Belgrade in 2010, one thing that he later contacted "the best feeling I ever before invited my life as a ping pong gamer." But while he's regularly mentioned how much it means to him to be able to exemplify his country as well as the amount of he enjoys the encounter of the Olympic Games, he's just certainly never had the capacity to convert his common prominence to sporting activity's greatest stage.Djokovic won the bronze in 2008-- his only Olympic medal. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaDuring his Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, Djokovic was the No. 3 seed, responsible for Roger Federer and Nadal. Playing in a best-of-three-sets format-- a marked difference than the best-of-five-sets used by guys in Grand Slams-- Djokovic rolled through the draw until Nadal, the resulting gold champion, defeated him in the semifinals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. In the bronze medal complement, Djokovic beat James Blake 6-3, 7-6 (4 ). Djokovic, that had actually gained his 1st significant name previously that season in Melbourne, could not hide his exhilaration after the match." [I'm] very delighted. I imply, to gain any kind of award in the Olympics is a big accomplishment for any sort of sportsmen I assume," Djokovic stated. "Not many of the professional athletes acquire an opportunity to gain a medal. But for me, this bronze, which I succeeded below, shines like a gold due to the fact that I think I've participated in decent ping pong all tournament." Djokovic likewise played multiplies alongside Nenad Zimonjic, but the pair shed in the 1st round.In 2012, Djokovic, after that a five-time Slam champion, was called Serbia's flag-bearer for the position event. He illustrated it as "an out-of-body adventure" as well as a "big enjoyment and also task and tribute." The competition was held at Wimbledon, where he had actually won the title the year prior to, yet Djokovic lost to eventual gold medalist Andy Murray in the semifinals. In the bronze-medal match he was up to Juan Martin del Potro in direct collections. Djokovic dropped once more in the first round of increases, this time around along with Viktor Troicki.Djokovic's loss in the semifinals at the 2021 Olympics was especially annoying, because he had succeeded all three primary labels kept that year. RUNGROJ YONGRIT/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockFour years eventually the tough court of law in Rio, Djokovic was the front runner (as well as currently a 12-time major champion) yet he was stunned by Del Potro in the first round. Djokovic and also Zimonjic lost in the 2nd sphere of doubles.But no loss stung harder than in 2021. Completing in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Gamings, Djokovic came in after winning all 3 of the year's Bangs. He got on a journey to participate in simply Steffi Graf in 1988 as the only tennis players in past to accomplish the "Golden Slam"-- all 4 significant labels as well as an Olympic single people gold in the exact same season.But in the semifinals-- yet once more-- Djokovic had his desires beat by possible gold champion Alexander Zverev. He had actually simply taken the very first set 6-1 however after that won simply four games in the final two collections. Points got even much worse in the bronze award match against Pablo Carreno Busta as Djokovic battled to manage his emotions, and also abused his racket on numerous affairs. He lost the complement 6-4, 6-7 (6 ), 6-3, and then withdrew from the mixed increases bronze-medal fit (along with Nina Stojanovic), slated to begin eventually that very same day, citing a nigh side shoulder accident. He had actually played seven matches in 4 times around pulls as well as it seemed it had actually all reached him." I played under medicines, astonishing ache and exhaustion," Djokovic said.He certainly never had the ability to receive his time totally back on course and shed in the final of the US Open full weeks later on to Daniil Medvedev, combating his altered objective of the schedule Conquest." [It] was actually likewise [an] emotionally incredibly demanding time frame for me in the final five, 6 months," Djokovic pointed out after the reduction. "Bangs as well as Olympics ... Every little thing was actually collaborating for me listed here and also kind of building up all the emotional states that I've been via. Unfortunately I really did not create it in the final measure." DJOKOVIC NOW RETURNS to the Olympics in a substantially various position than he was in 3 years ago. Certainly not only possesses he as yet to gain a Slam this period, yet he's yet to gain a label of any kind of kind. It's his worst beginning to a time considering that 2006. While he said he possesses no programs to retire, he knows time is actually running out. He will definitely be actually 41 when the 2028 Olympics begin.And going back to Roland Garros, the website of the French Open as well as the Olympic competition, might additionally show tough. He injured his knee during the course of the French Open in June and was forced to withdraw ahead of his quarterfinal match. He undertook surgical procedure for a torn median curve in his appropriate knee on June 5, initially leaving his condition for Wimbledon in doubt.Djokovic dropped to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the final earlier this month, and also in 2023. AP Photo/Kirsty WigglesworthMany hypothesized he would skip the grass-court event to pay attention to his rehab, and also carry on instruction on clay in front of the Olympics. Yet Djokovic got to the All of England Nightclub a week prior to the main draw started. After numerous productive and also pain-free techniques, he participated in as well as was impressive throughout his run, presenting few indications of discomfort or even interfered with motion." If somebody informed me I would certainly play [in the] Wimbledon last 3, four weeks ago, I would take it without a doubt," he said.Djokovic as well as his peers have must quickly adjust to the reddish clay after devoting the past month on yard. The surfaces couldn't be more different-- the clay-based is actually considerably slower than the yard-- and also the method gamers move on the court is actually also. It is going to be actually complicated for even those without any bodily ailments or accidents. Maybe partially due to this, Djokovic will just be actually playing in songs at these Games.But while Djokovic appeared exhausted and also slightly dejected after the Wimbledon ultimate, he was certainly not hindered." Permit's view just how actually and psychologically I am actually mosting likely to feel. Perhaps I can easily discover the ideal ping pong since I'm heading to need to have all I have as well as additional to go to the ultimate of the Olympic Games.".